The Skin Cancer Foundation comments on forthcoming research findings from Australia

New York, NY (May 15, 2015) — Australian researchers recently released a study abstract revealing that Nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B3, significantly reduces the incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancers among people who have had a previous basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. The researchers conducted a year-long study of 386 people, who averaged 66 years old. Half of the people in the study took 500 milligrams of Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) twice a day and the other half were put on a placebo. The researchers found that people who took vitamin B3 twice a day cut their chances of developing new skin cancers by 23 percent.

“The results of this study are certainly promising, but we believe that more research is needed to determine whether or not to recommend vitamin B3 therapy for skin cancer prevention,” said Skin Cancer Foundation Senior Vice President Deborah S. Sarnoff, MD. “What we know for sure is that everyone should adopt a complete sun protection regimen that includes seeking shade and covering up with clothing, including a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses, in addition to daily sunscreen use. ”

The full study will be presented during the upcoming American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting, taking place in Chicago

Acne is Major Factor Causing Social Anxiety in Teenagers

Norwegian researchers examined the social anxiety symptoms of teenagers and found that acne was one of the top contributors.

A total of 8,388 adolescents age 13 to 18 participated in the study by completing self-report questionnaires that measured both social anxiety and other variables. The study included a clinical group and a community group, with a slightly higher percentage of girls than boys with a mean average age of about 15 years old.

The results found that social anxiety symptoms were higher among girls than boys in the clinical group compared with the community group. The top social anxiety triggers were academic problems, bullying, eating issues, acne and general anxiety and depression across the study groups.

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Dr. Basuk attends national conferences regularly, keeping up with the latest in dermatology. Dr. Basuk found this item for you at the March 2012 American Academy of Dermatology Conference

Lasers and Nail Fungus (onychomycosis): At a lecture given in San Diego for the AAD, Theodore Rosen, MD (professor of dermatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston) reviewed literature regarding the use of lasers for treatment of onychomycosis. He pointed out that thus far lasers show some varied benefits, but no cure, and there does not seem to be any consistently beneficial result emerging. Dr. Rosen also pointed out that the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval of laser therapy for onychomycosis does not equate to proven efficacy, only safety.

There is no consensus opinion that lasers for treatment of nail fungus works well.

“Is laser therapy the future of onychomycosis therapy?” Dr. Rosen asked rhetorically. “I would love it if it were. I believe it is a promising modality, but the paucity of data and long-term follow-up make it almost impossible to decide. The jury is still out, so stay tuned.”

Here’s a video about Malignant Melanoma, written and created by others and available on YouTube:

Large Study Finds Early Use of Tanning Beds Increases Skin Cancer Incidence

A study of 73,494 nurses over 20 years shows use of tanning beds during teenage years increases the likelihood of getting skin cancer by 73%. Use of tanning beds at ages 25-35 increases the chance of skin cancer less, but the increase is still 28% over the chance of getting skin cancer when no tanning beds are used.Click here for the announcement from Brigham & Women’s Hospital.

The New York Times researches oxybenzone and sunscreens:

The American Academy of Dermatology Congratulates California on Banning Tanning Salons for Teens:

Tanning Bed Use Linked To Increased Skin Cancer Risk.

The Los Angeles Times (10/26, Khan) “Booster Shots” blog reports that “the more you use a tanning bed, the higher your risk of deadly skin cancers, according to research presented at” the AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research. Investigators found that “for every four visits per year to a tanning booth, risk for basal and squamous cell carcinoma jumped 15% and risk for melanoma rose 11%.” The investigators also “found that using tanning booths in the younger age range, during high school and college, had a stronger effect on cancer risk.”